Rice: “The standard has to be set every single day”

Declan Rice on leadership without the armband, the midfield balance with Zubimendi, and why he thinks this squad is deeper than last season’s title winners.

The numbers frame it: Arsenal have 18 points from 7 matches, with 11 scored and 5 conceded, sitting 2nd after Matchweek 7.

What happens next is the interesting part. Supporters will want to see whether this becomes a pattern or a footnote, and the next fixture is the first real test of that.

As ever, the conversation continues in the supporters room, where the mood after full time tends to be a better barometer than any table.